Locals prepare to evaduate following a tsunami alert after a powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit off Chile's Pacific coast, on April 1, 2014, in Iquique. / Aldo Solimano, AFP/Getty Images

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

A magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck Tuesday evening off northern Chile, triggering a small tsunami for the South American coast and leaving at least five dead.

The dead were four men and one woman who died of either heart attacks or being crushed to death, Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said.

The mayor of Tarapaca attributed the deaths to heart attacks. Several more are seriously hurt.

The powerful quake's epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean about 60 miles northwest of Iquique, Chile, and 12.5 miles deep, the United States Geological Survey reported. The quake occurred at 8:46 p.m. local time (7:46 p.m. ET).

A tsunami warning was issued for the coasts of Chile, Peru and Ecuador, while high-wave watches were posted for residents of coastal Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

Waves about 6 feet high hit cities along the northern coast, the Associated Press reported. There were no immediate reports of possible damage or casualties.

NOAA added that Hawaii could be put on warning or watch status as the quake and tsunami are evaluated. The earliest that waves might reach the island would be about 3:25 a.m. Wednesday (9:25 a.m. ET).